Latest Updates

While many of their classmates were coming down from the excitement of proms, and gearing up for finals, a pair of Newton South juniors were in Sarasota, Florida last week competing for a national rowing championship...

Over 40 Community Rowing crews raced at the 52nd HOTCR

This year CRI made a particularly loud statement about the success of our mission of “Rowing for All,” clinching four medals in Para and Inclusion rowing events. Of highlight, Matthew McLaughlin, a decorated CRI Para-rower and Josh Crosby, World Rowing champion, took gold in the Inclusion Mixed Double.

“Josh came back to row with Matt this year and really wanted to win,” said Beth Noll, CRI advanced Para-rowing coach. After posting a video of he and Matthew on the medal stand to Facebook, Josh and Beth have received dozens of emails from people interested in getting involved with or starting Para-rowing programs.

“I have been fortunate in my racing career to have won a few medals, however this gold medal was one of the most rewarding in my life. My partner, Matthew McLaughlin fought for every stroke, responded to all of my coaching down the river and braved some of the toughest winds I have ever faced,” Josh wrote on his medal stand video, which garnered over 4000 views in less than 24 hours.

CRI featured other big names in its Inclusion events this year as well: CRI Para-rower and 2016 Para-Worlds medalist Johanna Beyer took silver in the Inclusion Mixed Double with national team rower Matthew Wheeler and CRI Para-rower Katherine Barrett sat in front of Rio 2016 Olympian Austin Hack to win gold in the Mixed Inclusion Four.

“Para-rowing is being taken more seriously and national team athletes rowing with Para-rowers sends a real message,” says Beth. “This year’s Head of the Charles was a turning point for Para-rowing.”

In another demonstration of speed, CRI’s Women’s Club Eight brought home gold medals as the fastest non-collegiate crew in the Women’s Club Eight event. More than hardware, CRI Director of Education and competitive women’s coach Matt Lehrer was impressed with his crew’s attitude. “Even before they knew how they finished they were incredibly proud about how they made the boat go and how they felt,” Matt said. “The medal was a nice addition but it didn’t determine the feelings of the athletes or the coaches.”

High Performance sculler Adam Randall had a noteworthy 12th place finish in the Championship Single Saturday afternoon after a grueling two weeks of coding for the launch of CRI’s National Rowing and Sculling League website last week. In addition to training, Adam worked more than 30 extra hours over his regular work schedule in the two weeks before his race, sacrificing several hours of sleep, on-the-water sessions, meals and weekends.

“I just kind of had to accept the situation I was in and not compromise in the areas that I had control over,” Adam said about his lead up to the Charles. He ended up very happy with his race, finishing better than he ever has. “I don’t think I’ve ever gone that hard before. I think my eyes are closed in every picture of me from that afternoon,” he said.

Andrew Johnson, Paralympian and CRI mainstay, was also in the spotlight this weekend, literally. Andrew was one of the four elite Para-rowers featured in the Boston premiere of Trials: Finding the Medal, a documentary on his journey to the US National team. Between signing autographs and working at the boathouse, he also saved enough breath to race in the Inclusion Mixed double.

And Andrew says he can’t wait to do it again. “This weekend just shows what a great community the rowing world is. It’s not just about racing. It’s about the kind of people we are and the kind of people we accept.”